Texas SmartScapes Save Water, Money and the EnvironmentSave water, money and the environment with a Texas SmartScape. Summertime is fast approaching and with that come the expensive water bills! More than half of a typical household’s outdoor water use goes to watering the lawn and garden. Converting to a water-efficient landscape through proper choice of plants and careful design can reduce this use by 20 to 50 percent.

Even at a time of severe water restrictions, you can still have a thriving lawn or garden during a hot Texas summer. By using native plants, water is conserved and the amount of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers are reduced. This saves you money and helps keep chemicals out of our streams, rivers and lakes.

Considering that 40 to 60% of the typical household’s water bill goes to irrigation, now is the time to consider native, adapted plants, which once established, require 80% less water than other plants. To help reduce the amount of water and money spent on your landscape, consider converting to a Texas SmartScape®. Texas SmartScape® is an award winning gardening program educating homeowners about the ecological and economic benefits of using landscaping plants, trees, shrubs, and grasses native to this region and our local climate.

Whether in the market for major landscape overhaul or just a few quick fixes to save water this summer, txsmartscape.com has the tools for success. The interactive database allows you to search SmartScape® approved plants that are the right fit for any yard, while the landscape design tool walks pros and first-timers alike through the entire landscaping process. There are plenty of tips and ideas to help maintain and care for a SmartScape® yard.

Simple ways to save water:
• Water less frequently. Most lawns only need watering once every 5 to 7 days in the growing season and every 15 to 20 days in the winter. If it rains, you may be able to water even less often.
• Water early or late. Water your yard only between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to avoid loss from evaporation. Follow Water Conservation Restrictions.
• Reduce turf grass. Lawns typically require a large amount of supplemental water and generally more intensive maintenance than other vegetation.
• Install drip irrigation in flower beds and at the roots of shrubs. Drip irrigation delivers almost 95 percent of the water to plants.

Visit txsmartscape.com anytime to learn how to save water, money and the environment with a Texas SmartScape.